"If you're playing a poker game and you look around the table and can't tell who the sucker is, it's you."
Paul Newman (Jan. 26, 1925 - Sept. 26, 2008)
What can Canada expect in 2012?
Experts in different fields will make their predictions but an astrologer will look at the chart of Canada. "Chart of Canada?" you ask.
Yes, indeed. This is an astrological chart based on the birthday of Canada, July 1, 1867, which, according to an eye witness was completed at 12:05 p.m. (This was 91 years after the US Declaration of Independence in 1776, and two years after Lincoln was assassinated.)
One can look at the chart of a country in the same way one can look at the chart of a person. Canada's chart reveals a compassionate, caring country, eager to please and loath to offend. (Yup, Mr. Nice Guy: the reputation we have traditionally held in the world.) But as each year goes by -- tick-tock, tick-tock -- our charts change by one degree per year. This is why even though our essential character remains the same, with the passage of time, our style changes.
Canada will always have a nice-guy image, but these progressed charts (changing one degree per year) will occur. The last one took place in 1981, after the Trudeau era ended. Since 1981, we have slowly assumed a tougher, more aggressive image, or at least we are perceived that way in the world.
This is about to change.
Now, in 2012, for the first time since 1981, Canada's progressed chart will change again. We will lose our tough image and be viewed by other countries as the land of plenty. (Whaat?) We will appear richer and more affluent to others. We will also be a country that seems to be optimistic about our future.
We will look like a haven for big business and a place where the outdoors (our parks and wild animals) is valued. Please note: What we appear to be and what we are might not be the same thing, but generally they're not too far apart. ("Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.")
This is encouraging news, especially because the entire world began a new cycle in 2011, which last occurred from 1927 to 1935. (Drum roll here.) The Great Depression.
But Glory Hallelujah! Here is an encouraging distinction: Yes, the world, including Canada, will experience the repeating cycle of 1927-1935, which portends grim financial times for everyone. But starting in 2012, Canada will assume the appearance of affluence and optimism. Go figure.
Perhaps we can't say, "I'm all right, Jack," but it appears Canada will weather tough times better than other countries.
You guys are a brainy bunch. Many of you are computer geeks, scientists or tarot readers. You're futuristic because you were born 50 years ahead of your time. You see the planet as one community, which is why you endorse the tribe: the brotherhood, the sisterhood and friendship. You believe like-minded individuals can join forces to spearhead reform. ("Another petition? Sure, I'll sign.") You're intelligent, tolerant and friendly. Despite your involvement with groups, you vehemently respect the rights of the individual. You're highly original! You're fascinated with the heavens: astronomy, astrology and aviation. (Some of the best pilots are Aquarians.) Your sign has a funny way of getting famous overnight but then, you are unpredictable. You're a loyal friend who is always attracted to characters. It is best if you can live according to your own timetable - eat when you want to eat, sleep when you want to sleep. This suits your genius-like personality.
Around the late '80s you started to dismantle your life. You did that to get ready for an entirely new sandbox around 1991 (give or take a year). Partnerships and friendships were supportive then. In fact, some of you hooked up with someone special. By 1992, you received benefits from others through inheritances, assistance or an increase to your partner's income. By 1994, your opportunities expanded and, in the next few years, your reputation looked great! Perhaps this was what led to all that fluctuation in the late '90s with residential moves and job changes? By 1999-2000, you were very keen to put down roots and establish something secure for yourself and your family. Many of you expanded your family at this time. Around 2005, partnerships were challenging but your own personal success was growing. In fact, in the next year or two, you made a name for yourself. By 2007-08, support from others diminished or disappeared. (Gulp.) Fortunately, lucky moneybags Jupiter entered your sign in 2009, which was a lovely boost. Now your engine is idling. You sense there are new possibilities on the horizon - and you're right. This is a year of preparation.
Relationships will be tricky because of a planetary influence that could go one of two ways. One way will trigger conflicts about shared property, inheritances and anything you own jointly with others. The other way will trigger wild, crazy, fantastic sex! (Tough choice.) So your year ahead could be one of conflict about something you share, or you might as well move a fridge into the bedroom. Quite likely, relationships will improve (or they're already great) due to your positive frame of mind. Because this is a fact: You're happier and more optimistic than you've been in decades! Naturally, this affects your personality and style of relating to others. (Ya think?) Because home and family are so blessed in your year ahead, romantic partners who live together will experience a year of joy. No question. If you minimize quarrels about shared responsibilities and possessions, you can call this your lucky libido year! Yeah!
Everything to do with your job and public reputation is extremely strong now because you've been working for this since 1999 (or 2005, when you turned the corner). But you have not yet arrived at your goal - not yet! That's why this year is a time of preparation. Don't be cocky that it's all in the bag and you know it all. You don't. In fact, this is the perfect year to study, take courses or get further training, or travel to broaden your experience, so that by 2013 you're performance-ready for the big leagues. Businesses related to real estate, food preparation, families, women's products and anything to do with the marketing of food will flourish this year. By the end of 2012, sports, show business, the entertainment world and the hospitality industry get a real boost. Ditto for jobs related to childcare or child education. Your long shot might pay off!
"It gives me great pleasure to announce ..." more than any other sign, you will have the most positive boost when it comes to your private life: your family, your loved ones and your home. The year 2012 is a wonderful year for real-estate speculation or for anything to do with improving your home, whether through renovations, redecorating or just buying goodies so that you feel richer and happier there. Yay me! Not only will your home expand with wealth, it will expand with people as well! Family relationships will improve and there will be joy among the land and no one shall suffer from cavities or failing grades. Hey, it doesn't get better than that. If you can avoid squabbles about shared property and shared responsibilities, you're laughing! Because your home might expand through marriage, adoption or birth, be prepared to accommodate this. Stock the fridge.
One of the biggest things to be aware of is you have wonderful real-estate opportunities this year. If you can't take advantage of this by buying and selling, at least do something to improve where you live. The result will totally please you! The bottom line is your private life can improve wonderfully through your home, your family relationships and even your appreciation of your private world. There will be greater joy in your private life. Meanwhile, you are almost at a career peak, so don't slack off! Do avoid disputes about shared property, inheritances and jointly owned possessions. Save your breath. Save your money as well because a fabulous vacation (or two) is just down the road. Essentially, you have to maximize your enjoyment of your home and family, and yet, at the same time, prepare for a job or professional success that is almost within your reach. (Like wow, man.)
Your Aquarius Mantra for 2012
"I want to make the most out of every minute of my life."
Your future is fantastic! I kid thee not. Later this year and all of 2013 will bring wonderful opportunities for romance, love affairs, fun, social events and vacations! Your involvement with sports will be upbeat and active. Ditto for involvement with children. A new relationship might begin with someone older, richer or more worldly. Meanwhile, in another part of the forest, your professional reputation has never looked better! Bosses, parents and VIPs are impressed with you. Expect kudos, a promotion, a raise, or a new job related to healing, medicine, the law, or dealing with foreign countries and travel. Well done!
Mercury retrograde times are frustrating. They generally occur three times a year for about six-to-eight weeks causing delays, transportation breakdowns, mixed-up communications, missed appointments, lost paper work, misplaced items, computer crashes and server problems. Oy! Newspapers, courier services, the Post Office, accounting firms and service industries get hurt the worst. Furthermore, each Mercury retrograde has its own flavour because it occurs in a different sign.
But they can also be used properly if you're smart. In a nutshell, just avoid some things and try to do others.
What to avoid: Avoid shopping for ground transportation like cars, trucks or bikes. Avoid shopping for items related to communications like phones, answering machines, computers and printers. I get mail asking if it's OK to buy a sofa or a washer or dryer... yes, it is.
What to do: Charge your cell phone. Pay your phone bill. Keep gas in the car and a working flashlight. Smile a lot. You will suffer from delays! Try to anticipate these and do some damage control ahead of time. Tackle repairs. (These will go surprisingly smoothly.) Clean out closets, drawers, desks and cupboards. Finish projects. Do research into the past. Study anything. Contact people from your past. Re-apply for a job. Try to get something you wanted before that fell through. Try again! Organize old photographs. Finish that "to do" list. It is easier to deal with the past than go forward into the future.
There are two sets of dates below: The actual time of Mercury retrograde is on the left. But Mercury slows down ahead of time, and then takes a long time to "catch up" to where it was when it first went retrograde. These longer time periods are on the right. When buying pricey transportation or a computer, I recommend respecting the dates on the right.
| Actual Mercury Retrograde Dates |
Still Dicey for Big Purchases (I use this one) |
|---|---|
| March 11 - April 4 | March 6 - April 23 |
| July 14 - August 8 | July 4 - August 22 |
| November 5 - November 26 | October 29 - December 14 |
| 20 | Bill Maher 1956 |
|---|---|
| 21 | Richie Havens 1941 |
| 22 | Diane Lane 1965 |
| 23 | Randolph Scott 1898 |
| 24 | John Belushi 1949 |
| 25 | Alicia Keys 1981 |
| 26 | Ellen DeGeneres 1958 |
| 27 | Mordecai Richler 1931 |
| 28 | Sarah McLachlan 1968 |
| 29 | Tom Selleck 1945 |
| 30 | Phil Collins 1955 |
| 31 | Justin Timberlake 1981 |
| 1 | Clark Gable 1901 |
|---|---|
| 2 | Ina Garten 1948 |
| 3 | Norman Rockwell 1894 |
| 4 | Denis Savard 1961 |
| 5 | Cristiano Ronaldo 1985 |
| 6 | Bob Marley 1945 |
| 7 | Steve Nash 1974 |
| 8 | John Grisham 1955 |
| 9 | Carole King 1942 |
| 10 | Emma Roberts 1991 |
| 11 | Jennifer Aniston 1969 |
| 12 | Christina Ricci 1980 |
| 13 | Peter Gabriel 1950 |
| 14 | Michael Bloomberg 1942 |
| 15 | Matt Groening 1954 |
| 16 | Valentino Rossi 1979 |
| 17 | Joseph Gordon-Levitt 1981 |
| 18 | John Travolta 1954 |